US2937093A

US2937093A - Process for manufacturing whipped fatty emulsion

Info

Publication number: US2937093A
Application number: US687025A
Authority: US
Inventors: William A Gorman; Robert G Christie; Kraft George Howard
Original assignee: Kraft Inc
Current assignee: Kraft Inc
Priority date: 1957-09-30
Filing date: 1957-09-30
Publication date: 1960-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 1977-05-17

Description

May 17, 1960 w. A. GORMAN ET AL 2,937,093

PROCESS FUR MANUFACTURING WHIPPED FATTY EMULSION FiledSept. so, 1957 United States Patent 2,937,093 Patented May 17, 1960 PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING WHIPPED FATTY EMULSION William A. German, Lake Bluff, Robert G. Christie,

Glenview, and George Howard Kraft, Wilmette, lll.,

- assignors to National Dairy Products Corporation, New

York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware a I Application September 30,1957, Serial No. 687,025 7 Claims. (Cl. 99-122) This invention relates generally to the manufacture of whipped fat containing food products, such as butter and margarine, and more particularly the invention relates to the manufacture of such whipped food products in the form of a stick or bar.

I The whipping and packaging of various fat containing food products, such as "butter, margarine and cream cheese is known and has beenpracticed for many years. However, it has been the general practice to introduce such whipped product into open cups or containers, the

product being introducedinto such cup or container ,in,

av flowable condition. Heretofore, it has not been possi-' ble to satisfactorily package these whipped fat containing food products in the form of bars or sticks in conventional' packaging equipment.

Theprior attempts to form such a whipped, fat containing food product into the form of a bar-or stick has resulted in a product of unsatisfactory character for the shape of a bar or stick in a satisfactory condition is a desideratum as it makes possible the use of available packaging equipment and, in addition, provides more attractive and improved packaging of the product. Furthermore, the packaging of this product in the form'of a bar or stick facilitates distribution innormal marketing channels.

'It is a principal object of this invention, therefore, to provide a whipped fat containing food product in a condition forimmediate packaging with available packaging equipment. Another object of this invention is the provision of a process which properly conditions the whippedproduct for packaging with conventional packaging apparatus. A particular object of this invention is the provision of an improved process for packaging whipped butter or margarine in the form of a bar or percent ofgas, by volume, i.e., it has 'a density twenty (20) percent less than the funwhipped product. The term fat containing food product, as used therein, means an edible food product which comprises more than about sixty-five (65) percent of afat ormixture of fats,

on a weight basis, the'fats being substantially solid at room temperatures. In general, such food product will be butter and/or margarine, or a similar food product.

The process of the invention basically comprises the steps of heating a fat-containing food product, such as margarine, to a temperature sutficient to substantially melt the fat.. The product is then whipped to incorporate gas in an amount in excess of about twenty (20) percent, by volume (on an end'product basis), whereupon thewhipped product iscooled at a rapid rate to a temperature below itsv solidification point but is prevented from being'set up by.vigor'ous agitation- For purposes of this specification, the product in this condition is said to be in a.super. cooled condition. The super cooled product is shaped at aboutfthe time that setting occurs and it should not be extensively worked or substantially manipulated after such shaping. Working or manipulation after shaping results in granulation of the fat. The formed food product is then wrapped with packaging material.

.The term whipping as used herein is used in a broad sense and refers to incorporation of gas into the fat containing product'by any suitable means. Theterm granulation refers to the formation of fat particles which gives the product a coarse texture, which texture, in some cases, can be experienced organoleptically.

Now considering the invention in greater detail, and with particular reference to Figure 1 of the drawing.

It will be appreciatedthat Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the invention and is generally described here to provide a better understanding of the detailed description which is hereinafter set forth. A melted fat product is used in the apparatus. In the case of margarine, this mixture will usually comprise a fat phase, in an amount of about 80 percent, and an aqueous phase, in an amount of about 20 percent, which aqueous phase includes milk and salt. Color additives may be added to the fat product toprovide the desired end product.

The. melted fat product is drawn from a tank 5 into a pump 7, which is a positive pump, as distinguished from a centrifugal pump. The product is fed through line 9 into a second pump 11. This second pump is also a positive pump and overruns the first pump 7. In otherwords, the second pump 11 is pumping at a greater rate than the'first pump 7, thereby creating a vacuum or a subatmospheric pressure in the line 9 between the pumps.

;An"inert gas, which does not substantially dissolve in the product, is introduced into the line 9 between the sirable to use nitrogen because of its limited solubility in the respective phases ofthe fatty product, as well as its non-oxidative character. In this connection, carbon dioxide gas tends to dissolve in the fat and n10isture, and' provides somewhat less uniform results.

From the pumps 7 and 11, the product containing the gas is pumped through line 19 into cooling means 20 which agitates and super cools the-whipped mixture. A highly satisfactory means for effecting such super cooling of the mixture is a Votator unit which is manufactured by the Girdler Division of National Cylinder Gas Company.

The Votator unit i's.chilled by the useof-ammonia gas or other refrigerant, and provides rapid chilling of the whipped product'with substantial agitation to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the fat product by assuring contact of the product with the refrigerated surfaces of the unit. This unit prevents setting of the product at the cool temperature. @It will be understood, however, that various other refrigerating-or cool the capacity of the unit, though a given number of tubes may be employed at various throughput rates.

The super cooled product, in fluid form, is discharged through line 27 and is fed to a splitting means 29 which serves to feed product to a packaging machine, or machines, through formingsections 30 and 31 into molding or

printing heads

32 and 33. As previously indicated, these molding heads may be on a single machine, or may be on several machines. Desirably, the molding heads, which also serve to move the margarine to a wrapping station in the packaging machine 34, are sophased in respect of one another as to present a substantially constant back pressure to the system, e.g., in the line 27. However, because of the gas in the whipped product, some variations in the back pressure can 'be absorbed by the product. This, of course, is characteristic of whipped product and different difficulties arise in the case of unwhipped or conventional fat containing food products, such as unwhipped margarine or butter. i

The product from the

molding heads

32 and 33 is introduced into the packaging equipment 34 usually by moving the formed product to a position where the whipped product, in bar or stick form, is pushed therefrom and wrapped in conventional packaging materials, such as foil or parchment paper. The sticks or bars provide a mandrel about which the wrapping material is formed. The wrapped bars or sticks of the wrapped product are then cartoned and tempered, if desired, in a conventional manner.

In order to establish more uniformity of operation and to provide greater flexibility of operation of the equipment, a positive pump 35 may be placed at the outlet of the cooling means 20 in line 27, This pump 35 can be utilized to provide a desired pressure in the cooling means 2% as will become more apparent hereinafter.

Of course, various packaging machines can be employed but a particularly satisfactory unit is a modified Morpac machine, Model TF, which is widely used in the margarine and butter industry. This machine is modified to cause the molding heads to operate 180 degrees out of phase with one another to provide more even back pressure to the system.

Various by-pass, arrangements may be provided for diverting the product from the system to a remelt kettle for reuse in the system. In this connection, the product may be diverted through line 36 ahead of the pumps 7 and 11 to a'remelt kettle 37. In addition, the product may be diverted through line 39 and returned from the forming sections 30 and 31 to the remelt kettle 37. This provides flexibility of operation in the event that the pack-aging machine is shut down or the double pumps 7 and 11 are not operated.

We have found that in the case of whipped fat containing food product, the holding time between the cooling unit 20 and the packaging machine 34 isa function of the condition of the product out of the cooling unit 20. It has been found that the time between the cooling unit 2% and packaging machine 34, for a given cooling means 20, is a function of the output temperature and is critical.

in order to provide a satisfactory product. In the event that the product is not held for a sufficient period of time, it is liquid or too soft to print in the packaging machine 34 and, if it is held for too long a time between the cooling unitZilaud the packaging machine 34, the prod-' uct granulates and is unsatisfactory. In this connection, the product is grainy or rough. Such, graininess or roughness does not temper out afterpackaging and, accordingly, the product cannot be held between the Votator unit and packaging machine for an enterided period.

As the temperature of the fatty product out of a give cooling unit-20 is increased, the time of holding between the cooling unit 20 and packaging machine 34 should be increased. Conversely, reducing the temperature of product out of the cooling unit requires a shorter holding time between the cooling unit'Zil and packaging machine 34. From this relationship, the holdingtime can be designed for the output of the cooling unit 29. Of course, as more product is put through a cooling unit with a given amount of refrigeration, the higher the temperature of the product out of the unit. As indicated, such higher temperature requires additional holding time for satisfactory printing of the: product.

The holding time may be varied by changing the rate of flow of product, the volume ofthe pipe 27, or the overrun of the product.

Output temperatures from the cooling unit- 20 can be varied from about 30 F. to about 60 F. depending upon the solidification temperature of the fat product.

The amount of overrun, i.e., gas incorporation or whipping, within the temperature range above specified, is not critical to this invention and, in this connection, the overrun can vary from as low as about 20 percent to more than about 200 percent. The critical factor is the holding time of the fat between a given cooling unit 20 and the packaging machine '34. V

The product normally enters the cooling unit 20in a liquid condition for .elfecting the desired super-cooling of the product. In this connection, the temperature of the molten fat is' normally above about 98 F. when it enters the cooling unit 20. Because higher temperatures necessitate extra cooling capacity, the lower temperatures are used.

Depending upon the capacity of the cooling unit 20 and the throughput rate, the product may exit from the unit at a temperature from about 30 F. to a temperature offabout 60 F. Higher temperatures out of the cooling unit 20 generally result in a product which does not have the desired set or firmness for wrapping. Temperatures too low result in freezing of the aqueous phase or excess power requirements in the cooling unit 26.

i The line 27 is desirably a one-inch pipe. In this connection, larger pipes have resulted in channelling of the product in the pipe. channelling results from the hardening of a portion of the material on the inner surface of the pipe 27, thereby reducing the effective diameter of the pipe, and consequently, reducing the holding time in the line 27. This channelling gives erratic results, and accordingly, a pipe no larger'in size than about one and one-half inch in diameter should be used for the line 27. A one inch diameter pipe provides excellent results and is preferred. While smaller pipes may be employed, this results in undue head pressure because of pipefriction so that the largest sized pipe which, is feasible is desirably employed. The pipe should not rapidly change in diameter, along its length to minimize channelling.

The effect of channelling can be reduced by heating the'pipe 'as by placing a water jacket around the pipe. The use of such a Water jacket permits the use of somewhat larger pipe diameters and the overcoming of local ized channelling conditions. However, the use of such expediency is not altogether desirablebecause' of the attendant cost of equipment and the inherent requirements connected. with circulationof heated vwater. 7 v

' The splitting means 29 is preferablya Y-shaped pipe section but it may be a rotating valve with the modified Morpacmachine. The rotating valve is formed and oper-' cating at'the rate of cycles per minute, the rotating vfed two molding heads once per revolution. This valve operated at a speed greatly in excess ofthe number oi strokes of the moldingheads 31 and 33 and, in this connection, the use of speeds in excess of ten times the cycles 7 of the molding heads have been'employedn The product, on entering'the forming heads 30 and 31, is passed through nozzle sections .45, and .47, in which the cross-section of the, pipe is changed from circular to rectangular, the latter. cross-section being the'sizetofa face of the print of the stick ,or bar. Inorder to, prevent channelling in the nozzles 45 and 47,;these nozzlesare jacketed and the jackets 48 and v49 are supplied with warm water through pipe, 51 and waterexitsthrough pipes 53 and 57. The waterin'the jackets 48 andy49should not be so warm as to melt the product but should have a temperature sufficient to prevent channelling. In general, the temperature of the water should exceedabout 65 F., and should not exceed a1 temperature of about 120 F., the temperature used being inversely proportional to the conductivity of the metal and directly proportional to the flow rate. I

In general, the foregoing description has beenv inrej spect of the use of a single packaging machine 34. It will be understood, however, that the cooling unit 20 can feed .two packaging machines 34 whichare, operatedin parallel with suitable phased relation ofthe molding heads 32 .and 33. With such parallel operation, two intermedie ate pumpsnshould be utilizedouto'r' the cooling unit' 20; These pumps, similar to the pump designated 35in Figure I, operate to adjust the feed between the two pack aging machines and to maintain a satisfactory back pres; sure in the cooling unit 2t When such pumps aroused, a splitting unit will be er'nployedat the outlet of the cool? ing means 20 to divide the product between the two intermediate pumps.

In actual commercial runs, a margarine emulsion is Prepared and introduced into thetank 5. The emulsion comprised a fat phase which'includedabout 80 percent of the mixture and an aqueous-phase which comprised about 20 percent of the mixture. The aqueous phase included salt and milk. Suitable coloring was-added to the. product. The emulsion is drawn from the tank 5 ass st-55 into pump 7 and then into pump 11. The pumps were run at a speed, relative to one another, to establish a subatmospheric pressure in the line 9. Nitrogen gas is fed from the tank 15 through the flow control apparatus 1 17 at a positive pressure of about 15 pounds per squar Example I In one commercial operation, the cooling means 20 comprised a two-tube Votator unit and, in this Votator unit, each tube had a diameter of 4.01 inches and-was 48% inches in length. In the Votator unit'was a rotor which had a diameter of 3.20 inches and 'on'which were I mounted the usualscraper blades for scraping the inside of the tube and for maintaining refrigeration efiiciency'.

The rotor was 46 inchesin length and was carried on a shaft which had a diameter of 2% inches. Accordingly, the net volume of each-tube-of the Volator unit was 234 cubic inches. 9 j i T he pipe connecting the tubes of the Votator unit was pne-inch sanitary pipeand had -"a volume of '18 cubic inches. Thecooling means 20 and the splitting means ,2 9 had a length or 13 feet and- 7 inches "and a" volume In accordance with this example, the temperatureout' of' 106 cubic inches. The splitting means 29 comprised a Y-shaped pipe which enlarged to a diameter of 3 inches. This Y-shaped pipe had a volume of 63 cubic inches and connected to the forming heads 30 and 31 each of which had a volume of 58 cubic inches. between the forming heads 30-and 31 and the molding .heads 32 and 33 of the machine 34 each of which accounted for 3.4 cubic inches.

The product was run through the cooling means at a rate of 224 sticks per minute, each stick having a volume of 7.45 cubic inches. Accordingly, the product was flowing through the cooling unit 20 at a rate of 1670 cubic inches per minute. The temperature of product out of the cooling unit was 48 F. and the product had an overrun of 50 percent. The pressure at the head or inlet of the cooling unit was about 125 pounds per square inch, The resulting product, after wrapping, had a smooth tex ture, a very slight grain, but was quite satisfactory for commercial production.

Example II were used as in the previous example, but the temperature of the productout'of the cooling means 20 was further 'droppedto46 F. which resulted in some coarsening of the product but'th'e product was-still acceptable-foicommercial sale. 1

Example'lV In accordance with this example, the sameconditions asgin the previous examples prevailed exceptthat the '-temperature of the product was further dropped to 45 1?;

out of the cooling means 20 which resulted in still'further coarsening of the texture of the product and also resulted in discoloration of the front and back panels of the prints. This product is borderline for sales purposes and it is not desired thatiurther lowering of the temperature of the output of the cooling means be accomplished. Furthermore, such further cooling results in higher cost of opera tion and is undesirable. H" I Example V In accordance with this example, the same conditions prevailed as in Example. I except that the temperature out of thecooling means 20 was raised to 49 F. The product had .a smooth texture, a very slight grain, but it had good printability.

Example VI of thecoolingmeans 20fwa's raised to 50? F. but other conditions prevailed as in'the previous examples. The product was becoming slightly soft for good printing, though it was still printable. It had good texture.

' I Example'Vll V In accordance withthis example, the temperature of the, cooling means 20 was further raised to 52 F. and the resulting product had good-texture. However, it was becoming too softto print and any further raises in temperature would result in unsatisfactory prints. Q-

" A Example VIII In this example, the cooling means 20 also compriseda There was a plate,

a ar-s had a volume of about 140 cubic inches. The product had. an overrun of, 47 percent and the temperature'of. the product out of thecooling means 29 was about 52 P. so that the product left the first tube of the V otator unit at a temperature of about68 F. The product entering the cooling means, 20 had a temperature of about 98 F. Thepressure out of the second tube of the Votator unit was 60 pounds per square inch.

The product was put through the cooling unit 20' at a rate to provide 193 prints per minute from the apparatus, and the product left the forming

heads

36 and 31 at a temperature of 49 F. The intermediate pump was operated at a speed of 89 r.p.m.

The resulting product had good texture and good printability. By cutting off one-half of the splitting means 29 and, therefore, one of the nozzles 49 and one of the forming heads 30, the product was somewhat softer but still had good printability and good texture.

Example IX In this example, the same physical set up was used as in Example VIII but theoutlet temperature of the product from the cooling means 20 was raised to 61 P. so that the temperature of the product between the tubes of the Votator unit was 75 F. At a rate of 254-prints per minute, the product was too fluid to print and, therefore, such a high temperature could not be employed at this rate in this apparatus.

Example X a In this example, the temperature of product out of the.

Notator unit was 54 F. so that the temperature of. the

product intermediate the tubes of the Votator unit was 70 F. Otherwise, the same conditions prevailed as 1nv the previous example. The resulting product exited from the forming tubes at a temperature of 56 F., and, while it had good grain and texture, it was too soft to print.

It had an overrun of about 50 percent.

Example XI In this example, the same conditions were utilized as in the previous example except that the splitting means was divided so that the product did not go. through onehalf the Y to the nozzles 49 andthe forming means 30. Again, the product was too soft to print when a throughput rate of 254 prints per minute was used.

Example XII Example XIII In this example, the same conditions prevailed, as in the previous example except that one-half the Y was cut off so that the product did not enter the nozzle 49 and forming head. 30. The resulting product had good grain but was-poor in printability.

Example XIV In this example, the product exited from, the cooling means at a temperature of 50 F. so that the temperature between the tubes of the Votator unit was 66" F. The product, was put through the apparatus ata rate of .193 Sticks per minute. The product exited fromthe forming heads, 30 and 31, at. a temperature of 49 F. and it had an overrun of 47 percent. The intermediate pump was operated at a speed o-f-95 r.p.m. The product wasgrainy and. not t o sat sfactory for commercial. production.

the ,exit of. the Votator tubes was 40 p.s.i.

V Ex XV In this example, the same conditions prevailed as in the previous example except that the product. did not go through one-half ofthe splitting means 29, the nozzle 49, or forming head 30. The product was somewhat softer but still grainy and it exited from the forming head 31 at a temperature ofv F.

Example XVI In this example, the product discharged from the cooling means 26 at a temperature of 55 Rand the temperature of product intermediate the Votator unit tubes was 70 F. I The throughput rate was 193 sticks per minute and the temperature of-product out of the forming heads 30 and 31 was 53 F. The intermediate pump was operated at a speed of 89-r.p.m. Theovorrun of the prodnot was 47 percent and it had good grain but was somewhat soft. The apparatus was the same as described in Example VIII.

Example XVII Example XVIII The margarine product exited from the cooling means 20 at a temperature of 53F. and the temperature of the product intermediate the tubes of the Votator unit was 66 F. The throughput rate was 141 sticks per minute. The product exited from the forming heads 30 and 31 at a temperature of 52 F. and had an overrun of 39 percents The intermediate pump 35 was operated at a rate. of 74 r.p.m. The pressure at exit of the Votator unit was pounds per square inch. The product had a coarse grain.

. Example XIX In this example, the same conditions prevailed as in the previous example exceptthat one-half of the splitting means 29, the nozzle 49 and the forming head 30 were not utilized. The product exited firom the forming head 31 at a temperature of 49 F. While the product had somewhat less coarse grain than in the previous example, it, nevertheless, was still coarse.

Example XX 7 In this example, the product exited from the cooling means 20 at a temperature. of Rso that the temperature of product between the tubes of the Votator unit was 67 F. The overrun of the product was 51 percent and the product exited from the forming heads at a temperature of 51, F. The intermediate pump was operated at a speed of 74 r.p.m. The throughput rate was 141 prints. per minute. The product was somewhat less coarse than the product of-the previous example but still had some coarseness.

. Example XXI The, product was still less coarse. than in the case of the previous example.

' Example XXII In this example, the product exited from thercooling means 20 at a temperature of 57 F; The pressure at The product exited from the forming heads at a temperature of 58 F. at a rate of 141 prints perminute. The productv had an, overrun ofv 5.1. percent a'ndthe intermediate pump 35 was operated at a speed of 74 r.p.m.' The producthad good grain and was printable through itwas somewhat soft. r Example XXIII In this example, the same conditions prevailed as in the previous example except that one-half ofthe Y 29, the nozzle 49 and the forming head 30 were not used. The product exited from the forming head 31 at a tempera-' ture of 51 F. The product had somewhat finer grain and smoother surface'but was somewhat softer than the product which exited from the forming heads in the previous example. It was printable.

Example XXIV the Votator unit was 70 F. .The product exited from" the forming heads 30 and 31 at a temperature of 55 F. and it had an overrun of 44 percent.

The intermediate pump 35 was operated at 127r.p.m. and the throughput rate was 260 prints 'per minute. The pressure at the exit of the'Votator unit was 60 pounds per square inch. The resulting product wasgrainy and too soft to print. Y l

Example XXV In this example, the same conditions were utilized as in the previous example except that one of the forming heads 30, one of the nozzles 49, and one-half of the Y were not used. The product hadsomewhat less grain than the product of the previous example but was still too soft to print. a V s Example XXVI In this example, the same physical setup was utilized as in Example XXIV and the same conditions were employed except that the throughput rate was increased to 284 prints per minute. In addition, the intermediate pump was operated ata rate of 142 r.p.m. The product was grainy.

Example XX VII I The same conditions were er np-loyed in this example as in the previous example except that one-half of the Y, the nozzle 49, and the forminghead-30 were not utilized. 'The resulting product was'still grainy.

Example XX VIII H In accordance with this example; the same physical setup was employed as in Example XXIV- bptthe temperature of the productout of the Votatorf unit was 57 F. The product exited from the formingtubes at a temperature of 59 F. I The intermediate pump was operated at a rate of 139 r.p.m. and maintained a pressure at'the outlet of the Votator unit at 6Q pounds per square inch. The product did not retain gajsl and a low.overrun was obtained. Example XXIX masses 60 F. so that the temperature between the tubes ofthe Votator unitwas. 762 F; The product out of the forming heads-wasata temperature of 60"- F. and the intrmediatepump was run at a speed of 135 rpm. to maintain a pressure out of the. cooling means at 60 pounds per square inch. --The product was too soft to print and was losinggas sothat the desired overrun was not obtained.

When only half the Y was used and the nozzle 40 and forming head were not used, the product was for satisfactory commercial production.

even softer and was, in fact, fluid in character.

. fExar nple XXXI. The apparatusfor purposes of this example comprised a single tube of a Votator unit, the tube having the dimensions specified in Example I. The apparatus between this singletube of the Votator and the packaging machine 34fwas also thesame as in Example I. That pounds per square inch. The throughput rate was 106 prints per minute. The resulting product was grainy and unsatisfactory.

Example XXXII' aFor purposes of this examp1ej,;the same equipment was used as in the case of the previous example butthe temperature out of the Votator unit was 48 F. and the throughput rate was 141 printsper minute. The intermediate pump was run at 74 r.p.r n. and maintained a pressure at the outlet of the Votator of 60 pounds per.

. square inch. Here again, the product was grainy and un-.

satisfactory for commercial production.

. "Example XX XII I r For the purposes of thisexample, the same equipmentwas used 1asin the case of the-previous two examples except that the output temperature of the Votator unit was adjustedjto 53 F. .The product had an overrun of 47 percent and a temperature out of theforming heads 30 and 31 of 53 F. The product was less grainy than inthe case of the previous example but still too grainy Exz mipl XXXIV i In accordance with this example the outputtemperature of the Votator unit was adjusted to 55 F. and the intermediate pump speed was r.p.m. to' maintain a pressure "of 60 pounds per square inch at the outletof the Votator unit. The throughput 'rate' was prints perminute and the overrun of the product was 54 percent. The productwas somewhat grainy but hadgood printability and was satisfactory for commercial production. m i Example'XXXV 1 'For'purpos'es'of this example, the same conditions prevailed as' in thecase offthe previous example except that Onlytone-half of the Y was utilized thereby eliminating the'iiozzle 49 and forming head 30 from operation. The

product "had. good grain and good printability, and was satisfactory for commercial production.

" Example VI i In accordance'with this e xarnple,' the same eonditions V assesses vail'ed as in the case of the previous example except that only one-half of the Y was used, thereby eliminating the nozzle 49 and the forming head 30 from operating. The product was better than inthe case of the previous example and was satisfactory for commercial production.

Example XXXVIII For purposes of this example, the cooling means 2 comprised a three-tube Votatorunit. The product entered the unit at about 98 F. and discharged from the first tube of the Votator unit at a temperature of 72 F., from the second tube of the Votatorunit at 61 F., and frorn the third tube of the Votator unit at 54F. Each tube of the Votator unit had the same dimensions as specified for the tube in Example I. The product was 64 F. The product was very grainy and unsatisfactory for commercial production.

:Exrzmple XXXIX For purposes of this example, the same conditions .were utilized as in the eased the previous example except that only one-half the Y of the splitting means 29 was used, and the nozzle 49 and forming head 30 were not employed. The product was still very grainy, though somewhat less grainy than the product of the previous example.

Example XL In accordance with this example, the product exited from the first tube of the Votator unit at 76 F., from the second tube at 59 F., and from the third tube at 53 F. The overrun of the product Was 5( percent and the throughput rate of 256 prints per minute. The temperature of the product out of the forminghe'ads 30 and 31 was 61 F. The intermediate pump was run at a speed of 104 r.p.rn., maintaining the pressure out of the Votator unit at 60 pounds per square inch. The product was firm and had good printability.

Example XLl The same conditions prevailed for this example as in the case of the previous example except that the nozzle 49, forming tube 30, and one-half of the Y of the splitting means 29 were not employed. The product hadv good grain but was somewhatsoft.

Example XLII In accordance with this example, the throughput was increased to 329 prints per minute. The product exited from the first tube of the Votator unit at 80 F., from they second tube at 62 F., and from the third tube at 53 F. The product had an overrun of percent and discharged from the forming heads at 55 F. The intermediate pump was run at 152 rpm, maintaining a pres- Utilizing thesame conditions:asinthexprevious example except adjusting the output temperature of the three-tube Votatorunit to 47 E, the product was firmer and had good-printabil-ity. l

Example XLIV. Utilizing the same conditions of the previous example except dropping the temperature to 45 F. out of the three-tube Vota tor'unit, the product layered and was not satisfactory. It is clear vthat this low temperature can not beused for satisfactory commercial production at a rate of 329 prints per minute through this system even; though the desircdoverrun is obtained.

' Example XLV For purposes of this example and succeeding examples, the cooling means 20 comprised a Votator unit having two tubes. Each of the tubes had a vertically extending axis anda diameter of 4.05 inches. The length of each tubewas 48% inches- A rotor in each tube had a diam eter of 3.54 inches and on thefrotors were mounted the usual scraper blades for maintaining refrigeration elficiency. The rotor was 46 inches in length and had a shaft which was 2% inches in diameter. Accordingly, the total volume of :each tube in which the fatty product was processed was: 187 cubic inches.

In this apparatus, the splitting means 29 also comprised a Y which had a'volume of 21 cubic inches. The forming heads 30 and 31 each had a volume of 31 cubic inches. A plate was disposed between the forming heads '30 and 31 and the molding heads 32 and 33 of the packag ing machine 34 and each of theseplate's defined a volume of about 3.4 cubic inches. The pipe volume was cubic inches, the pipe being'l23 inches in length.

The fatty product was fed to the above cooling means 20 at a temperature of 98" F. and the nitrogen gaswas adjusted to provide an overrun of about 50 percent. The product exited from. thecooling means at a temperature of 35 F. and at a rate of 160 prints per minute. The temperature of the print was 45 F. 'asit left the molding heads 32 and 33 of the. packaging machine 34. The print had good grain and good printability.

Example XLVI I In accordance with this'examplei'the productdischarged from the cooling means 20 at a temperature of 38 F. and the packaging machine 34 was operated at a rate of 194 prints per minute. The product temperature out of the molding heads 30 and 31 was 45 Otherwise, the same conditions. prevailed'as in the case of Example XLV. The product, however, had soft ends but had good texture.

V Example XL I'X In accordance with this example, the apparatus was the same as described in ExampleXLV butthe product exited from the Vo'tator at a'temperaturev of 32,

The product was printed at a rate of prints per minute. The product was slightly grainy and had an overrun somewhat greater than '50 percent.

. Example I f V For purposes of. this example, the apparatus was the same in EmmpIeXLVexcept that the pipe volume was 64-cuhic inches. The product exited from the Votator at a temperature of 32 F. and atfaprint temperature to the packaging machine 34 of 44 F. "The packaging machine wasopcrated at a rate of 168 prints per minute. The product had good grain and good printability.

t Example LI 2 The same apparatus was used in the case of this example as in the case of the previous example but the product exited from the Votator unit at a temperature of 36 F. and had a print temperature of 45 F. The packaging machine was operated at a rate of 192 prints per minute and the overrun was about 50 percent. The product was too soft for satisfactory printing.

Example LII In the case of this example, the same apparatus was employed as in the previous example and the product discharged from the cooling means 20 at a temperature of 35 F. The packaging machine was run at the rate of 100 prints per minute and the print temperature was 41.5 F. The product was hard and slightly grainy at the time of printing and was borderline in character.

Example LIII In accordance with this example, the same apparatus was used as in the case of Example XLV except that the pipe length was increased to provide a pipe volume of 111 cubic inches which corresponded to a length of 171 inches. The product exited from thecoo ling means at a temperature of 34 F. andfrom the molding heads 30 and 31 at a temperature of 44- F. The'pack aging machine 34 was operated at a rate of*17'6' prints per minute. The product wasslightly "gra-iny and was marginal in character.

- Example LIV i For purposes of this example, the same apparatus was employed as in the case of the previous example ex cept that the temperature of the product out of the cool: ing means 20 was 33.5 F. and the. packaging machine was operated at a rate of 188 prints per minute. The product overrun was about v50 percent. The product had good printability and good texture.

Example LV I I For purposes of this example, the same apparatus was used as in the case of Example LIII but'the packaging machine was operated at a .rate of 120 prints per. minute. The product exited from the Votator unit at32 F. and

the temperature of the product from the molding heads 30 and'31 was 44 F. The nitrogenwas adjusted to pro videan overrun of 25 percent. The resulting product was grainy.

Example LVII t In accordance with this example, the same apparatus was used as in the case of Example LIII but the product exited from the cooling means'20 at a temperature of 38 F. The packaging machine 34 was operated 'at a rate of 160 prints per minute and the-product. left the molding heads 32 and 33 at a temperature'of; 42"F. The overrun was 25 percent. The product wasye'ry grainy and layered, l1 v an overrun of 50 percent.

had good grain.

The same apparatus was used for this example "as for.

Example LIII but the product exited from the Votator unit at a temperature of 31 and was printedat a temperature of 42 F. The packaging machine was operated ata rate of. 120 prints per minute and the product had The product was very grainy and unsatisfactory for commercial production.- The temperature of product out of the Votator unit was raised to 36 F. and the product had slight grain and Example LIX -In preparing the product for the purposes of this ex ample, two packaging machines 34 were employed in parallel. The apparatus was generally similar .to that shown in the drawing except that two intermediate pumps 35 were employed and two packaging machines 34 were fed from the pumps, each pump feeding a machine. "The equipment between the intermediate pumps and the packaging machine was identical with that schematically illustrated in the drawing. l

'. "The cooling means 20 comprised a three-tube Votator unit, each tube having a horizontally extending axis and having the dimensions specified in Example I. The product was fed to each machine at a rate of 210 prints per' minute. The intermediate pumps, the Y of the split ting means 29, the nozzles 49 and 50, the forming heads 30 and 31 had the same dimensions as set forth in connection with Example I. The pipe volume was about 35 120. cubic inches for the pipe from each pump to each machine. I Excellent prints resulted when the temperature-out of the cooling means was about 48 F., but product. satis factory for commercial production could be obtained at temperatures from about 43 F. to about 52 F. -At a lower temperature the product became grainy at'this throughput rate, while at temperatures higher than about 52 F. the product became too soft to print. Thus, it will be seen that there was about a nine degree range in which satisfactory printing of the product could be ac-. complished for the specified throughput rate and apparatus.

Example LX 34 included a pipe having'a volume of 101 cubic inches which corresponds to a length of 156 inches. The splitting means 29 comprised a Y having a yolume of 21- cubic inches and two forming heads 30 and 31, each-of which had a volume of 31' cubic inches; A plate was disposed between the'forming heads 30 and 31 and the moldingheads32= and 33, the plates eachdefining a volume of 3.4 cubic inches.

When the output temperature of the product, at 50 ercent overrun, was 44 F. and the throughput rate was prints per minute, the product was coarse. ,When the throughput rate was raised to prints per minute there was only slight grain in the product When; the throughput rate was increased to prints per minute the product was satisfactory for printing and the product As before indicated, the forming heads.3t) and., 3 1

are jacketed and heated-with warmwater. .rneacubauie feregoingexamples, the forming headswere heated v i!" h water at a temperature of'betwe'en about. /Q" F,

. about 120 F. 'These temperatures vary," as

In each of theforegoing examples, the rotors in the cooling means 20 were rotated.

' In additiom in each of the foregoing examples the equipment was operated in a room which was maintained at a temperature of about 65 F. The room conditions'were controlled and the temperature did not exceed about 75 F. V

It has been found that the pressure at the outlet of the cooling means 20 should be maintained above about 40 pounds per square inch. When the pressure at this point was lower than 40 pounds per square inch, the product lost gas. As has been before indicated, this pressure can be maintained by suitable operation of the intermediate'pump 35. It has been found that any higher pressure can be utilized without substantially affecting the product within the cooling means 29. It has also been found that there should be some positive pressure at the end of the forming heads 30 and 31. In this CO1]? nection, the pressure should exceed about 2 pounds per square inch. However, if the pressure exceeds about 20 pounds per square inch, it was found, in connection with the foregoing examples, that the product was grainy, deformed in the molding heads and discolored.

vThe packagingmachine 34-, which includes the molding heads 32 and 33, comprises. a reciprocating mold or printer which moves vertically. In one station, the whipped fatty product is received from the forming heads 30 and 31. As the mold moves upwardly it cuts off the product from the forming heads 30 and 31 and delivers a rectangularly shaped print to a second station wherein the print is pushed against wrapping material, thereby causing this material to wrap aroundv the print.

The forming heads are so located to feed the product directly into the. molding heads. and the exit end of the forming heads have two dimensions of the print. Thus, the molding head does not form the print but it merely cuts off the print from a slab of product which is formed in the forming heads 30 and 31.

The forming heads 30 and 31 can vary in length from about one inch to as long as one foot in length. A forming head which is six inches in length provides highly satisfactory operation. Longer forming heads can be used but they should not be of suflicient length to result in melting the surface of the product because of the jacket heat. While shorter formingheads can also be used, such shortening results in criticality of operation of the equipment. In other words, the product is desirably pre-formed so that'va'riations in the output temperature of the cooling means 21 do not cause variations in the quality of the print. Thus, the longer forming heads provide flexibility of operation and assure practical commercial operation.

The cooling means 25) can be flooded with refrigerant at atmospheric pressure or the refrigerant may be under pressure. These techniques are well known in the refrigeration art and are not particularly significant for I purposes of this invention.

"It will, however, be noted that other cooling means than the Votator unit can be utilized for purposes of this invention. In general, such cooling means should provide rapid chilling of the fatty product with violent agitation so thatthe product does not instantaneously of the pipe at various points to overcome such difiiculty'.

However, this results in added expense and operational difficulties. Accordingly, pipes smaller than one and onehalf inches are most practical. for commercial operation. Furthermore, increases in'the diameter of the pipe cause the volume to increase by the square of the diameter. Accordingly, for the holding times between the cooling means 20 and packaging machine 34 contemplated for this invention, the smaller pipes are more desirable for permitting the packaging machine to be spaced a satisfactory distance from the cooling means ,20.

The foregoing examples well illustrate that for a given cooling means 20 and a given volume between the cooling means and packaging machine 34, there is an operating range of temperatures which can be employed for providing satisfactory printing of a whipped fatty product. This operating range is a function of the type of cooling means employed, output temperature of the cooling means, the volume of pipe and other equipment intermediate the cooling means and the packaging machine 34, and other factors. The throughput rate and volume between the cooling means and packaging machine, of

' course, determine thetime-which the margarine resides set up. Other cooling means which maybe used include ice cream freezers, etc.

Larger sizedpipes were tried in conducting the product fromthe cooling means 20 to the packaging machine 34. However, when a three inch pipe was employed, the product cored down the center leaving an annular ring of set product along the inner surface of the pipe. A simiiar phenomena occurred wi'h the use of a two inch pipe. In general, it has been found that a one inch pipe is about the best pipe size to be employed, though pipes of one and one-half inches have been employed.

The coring of the product can be limited by heating in. the cooling means 20 enroute to the packaging machine 34. V

In general, the temperature out of the cooling means 20 can vary between about 30 F. and about 60 F., providing the residence time of product in the pipe and equipment between the cooling means and packaging machine is adjusted to accommodate the product for a time suitable to provide in the packaging machine a printable product having good texture.

' While the theory of the process of this invention is not wholly understood, it is believed necessary that the product, once it sets up should not be worked to any degree, as by changing its shape or manipulating it. In other words, in the equipment described, the product shouldarrive at the forming heads 30 and 31 atabout the time at which it sets up. Once it is set up in the forming heads 30 and 31 the product is cut oil in the molding heads 32 and 33 but there is no substantial working, shaping or manipulation of'the product. That is to say, the product is not reformed, remolded, or otherwise manipulated in respectof itself upon entering the molding head. The heating of the forming heads facilitates the movement of the product through the forming head without manipulation of the product. Of course, if the product arrives at the forming heads and leaves the forming heads before it is substantially set, it is too soft to print in the molding head. Accordingly, it will be necessary to provide additional pipe to prevent the product from being too softat the molding head. Of course, if the product is initially too soft and is not cooled to the desired degree it may not set up for a quite extended period and such limited cooling of the product in the cooling means is not practical for commercial operations.

The factors which are involved in determining the time in which the product sets upbetween the cooling means and the packaging machine are quite complex.

.In this connection, it is believed that the rate of cooling in the cooling means, the extent of cooling in the cooling means, the degree of agitation in the cooling means, the rate of. travel or velocity of the product in the pipe 27, and'other factors are involved in ascertaining the setting time of the product between the cooling means 20. These factors and conditions will vary from cooling unit to cooling unit and even within the'same cooling unit. For this reason, extensive examples have been set up above to provide those skilled in the art with sufiicient information for determining the relative throughput rates, output temperatures,-and pipe volumes between the cooling means 29 and the packaging machine 34.

This invention makes possible the packaging of whipped 17 fatty product on conventional packaging equipment. The product has excellent texture and is being sold commercially throughout the United States.

The various features of this invention which are believed to be new are set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

I. A process for manufacturing a whipped fatty product emulsion, whipped to an overrun in excess of about 20 percent and comprising about 80 percent fat which is substantially solid at room temperature, the process comprising the steps of chilling the whipped emulsion to a temperature below about 60 F., with violent agitation, holding the chilled emulsion for a period sufiicient to permit setting of the fatty product emulsion, transporting the fatty product emulsion during said holding period, substantially terminating working of the fatty product emulsion upon setting to prevent coarseness in the product, and cutting the set fatty product emulsion.

2. A process for manufacturing a whipped fatty product emulsion whipped to an overrun in excess of about 20 percent and comprising about 80 percent fat which is substantially solid at room temperature, the process comprising the stepsof rapidly chilling the whipped emulsion V to a temperature below about 57 F. with violent agitation, holding the chilled fat emulsion for a time sufficient to permit setting of the fatty product emulsion, transporting the fatty product emulsion during said holding period, substantially terminating working of the fatty product emulsion upon setting to prevent coarseness of the product, cutting the set fatty product emulsion and wrapping the fatty product emulsion with a wrapper.

3. A process for manufacturing a whipped-fatty product emulsion whipped to an overrun in excess of about 20 percent and less than about 200 percent and comprising about 80 percent fat which is substantially solid at room temperature, the process comprising the steps of chilling the whipped fat emulsion to a temperature below about 60 F. with violent agitation, holding the chilled fat emulsion for a time sufiicient to permit setting of the fatty. product emulsion, transporting the fatty product emulsion during said holding period, forming the fatty product emulsion in a slab promptly upon setting and substantially terminating working upon setting to preventcoarseness in the product, and cutting the set setting of the fatty product emulsion, transporting the fatty product emulsion during said holding period, forming the fatty product emulsion in a slab promptly upon 20 percent and less than about 200 percent and cornprising about 80 percent fat which is substantially solid at room temperature, the process comprising the steps of rapidly chilling the whipped fat emulsion to a temperature below about F. and above about 30 F. with violent agitation, holding the chilled fat emulsion for a period sufl'icient to permit setting of the fatty product emulsion, transporting the fatty product emulsion during said holding period, forming the fatty product emulsion in a slab promptly upon setting and substantially terminating working upon setting to prevent coarseness in the product, warming the slab surface to facilitate its movement, and cutting the set fatty product emulsion.

6. A process for manufacturing a whipped fatty product emulsion whipped to an overrun in excess of about 20 percent and less than about 200 percent and comprising about percent fat which is substantially solid at room temperature, the process comprising the steps of chilling the whipped fat emulsion to a temperature below about 60 F. with violent agitation, holding the chilled fat emulsion for a time sufficient to permit set-, ting of the fatty product emulsion, transporting the fatty 7. 'A process for manufacturing a whipped fatty prod uct emulsion whipped to an overrun in excess of about 20 percent and less than about 200 percent and comprising about 80 percent fat which is substantially solid at room temperature, the process comprising the steps of rapidly chilling the whipped fat emulsion to a tempera turebelow about 60 F. and above about 30 F. with violent agitation, holding the chilled fat emulsion for a Q a period sufli'cient to permit setting of the fatty product emulsion, transporting the fatty product emulsion during said holding period with sufficient agitation to prevent localized setting of product, promptly setting the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hoffman et al. Mar. 4, 1930 Heidrich et a1. Mar. 29, 1955

Claims

1. A PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A WHIPPED FATTY PRODUCT EMULSION, SHIPPED TO AN OVERRUN IN EXCESS OF ABOUT 20 PERCENT AND COMPRISING ABOUT 80 PERCENT FAT WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY SOLID AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, THE PROCESS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CHILLING THE WHIPPED EMULSION TO A TEMPERATURE BELOW ABOUT 60*F., WITH VIOLENT AGITATION HOLDING THE CHILLED EMULSION FOR A PERIOD SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT SETTING OF THE FATTY PRODUCT EMULSION, TRANSPORTING THE FATTY PRODUCT EMULSION DURING SAID HOLDING PERIOD, SUBSTANTIALLY TERMINATING WORKING OF THE FATTY PRODUCT EMULSION UPON SETTING TO PREVENT COARSENESS IN THE PRODUCT, AND CUTTING THE SET FATTY PRODUCT EMULSION.